Uganda makes homosexuality punishable by life in prison

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KAMPALA, UGANDA – Lawmakers in Uganda, a deeply conservative Christian nation, have signed a bill making homosexuality illegal, punishable by life in prison. An earlier draft mandated death.

“The aim is to make sure that we protect the institution of marriage,” says David Bahati, architect of the anti-homosexuality bill.

Gay activists say a small group of visiting American Evangelicals spurred the stepped-up persecution when they visited the country and started speaking out. Homosexuality was already illegal at the time.

“So they went to parliament and advised them to change the law,” says Jacqueline Kasha Nabagesera, Founder of Freedom and Roam Uganda.